AES: Foreign Affairs Ministers to hold working meeting in Niamey on Friday

In an ongoing effort to fortify the alliance established in September 2023, aimed at tackling security challenges and creating a stable economic force in the sub-region, the authorities of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) are regularly organizing work and consultation meetings.

On Friday, May 17, 2024, the Foreign Ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are meeting in Niamey.

The purpose of this meeting is to review and approve documents that will be presented to the Heads of State for the institutionalization and operationalization of the AES Confederation, as noted by the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In preparation for this meeting, senior officials from the three countries convened on Thursday, May 16, in the Nigerien capital to draft these essential documents.

The preliminary session focused on «the draft treaty establishing the confederation, the draft internal regulations for the council of Heads of State, and the draft final communiqué for the inaugural summit of the AES Confederation’s council of Heads of State», according to a statement from the Burkina Faso government.

Subsequently, the Foreign Ministers of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will review the findings of this preparatory meeting before submitting them to the Heads of State for approval.

The Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the importance of this AES Foreign Ministers’ meeting, describing it as «a pivotal step in the political and socio-economic integration process of the three countries, aimed at enhancing their strategic relations».

Before the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, senior officials from the three states had already convened on May 16, 2024, to draft the necessary documents.

The Foreign Ministers will analyse these documents, which will then be submitted to the Heads of State for adoption.

According to the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers from the three countries represents “a crucial step in the political and socio-economic integration process of the three countries, aimed at strengthening their strategic relations.”

It is noteworthy that in late January, the AES countries announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, accusing it of violating its fundamental principles and showing allegiance to foreign powers.

Papa IBRAHIMA